I Can Resist Anything But Temptation: Exploring Religion, Risk, Opportunity, and Self-Control

• In Event: Research on Parenting Practices, Religion, Desistance, and Self-Control Theory

Abstract

According to the general theory of crime, self-control is one of the strongest predictors of individual differences in the inclination to refrain from or participate in criminal or delinquent acts. Of importance, previous research has found that an individual’s level of self-control may be influenced by religious beliefs and participation in religious organizations. Prior studies have explored the influence of religious beliefs and activities on delinquent and criminal behavior, with often an inverse relationship found between religion and delinquent/criminal acts. However, limited research has examined the influence of religion, risk perception, and perception of availability/opportunity on a wide variety of drugs and a variety of criminal and delinquent acts. The current research study aims to determine the possible ways that religion and perception of risk and availability/opportunity influence the likelihood of participating in different forms of drug use and criminal or delinquent acts. This data set utilizes the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which is a nationally-representative survey of all 50 U.S. states and includes 668,000 juveniles and adults. This study expands on previous research examining the extent to which religious beliefs may influence self-control, which then may influence the likelihood of participating in criminal and delinquent behaviors.

Authors

• Katherine Ray, Florida State University

• Carrie Sue Mier, Florida State University